What is a Shadow?

A shadow is created when a solid

object blocks light.
The light will continue past the
object but will not go through it,
creating a shadow.
The shadow will always be on the
opposite side of the object to where
the light is coming from.

Have you seen your shadow? Share what it sometimes looks like.

What other shadows have you seen?

What Makes a Shadow?
Any kind of light can create shadows:
• a ceiling light;
• a torch;
• a lamp;
• the Sun;
• the Moon.

Can you think of other types of light that can create a shadow?

Did you know….

Light always travels in a straight line!
Try This!
You will need a torch or a lamp that you can use to shine on something.
Find a darker area of a room or a dark wall.
Place the lamp or hold the torch so it is shining on a wall
or floor surface.
Another person puts their hands between the light
source and the surface.
Try This!
What does the shadow look like?

What happens if the person wriggles their fingers?

What happens if the person moves their hands closer to the

light source?

What happens if they move their hands further away from it?

What happens if you move the light source higher?

What if you move it to the side?

The Sun
Our most important source of light is the Sun. Have you seen shadows when you
have been outside?
Objects that are outside block the Sun’s light from reaching every part of the
surface.
The size, shape and placement of the shadow depends on where the Sun is shining
from and where the object is sitting.
Throughout the day the Sun appears to move as the day goes on.
But it is actually Earth spinning which makes our view
of the Sun change.

It takes 24 hours for the Earth to spin (rotate)

around, which is one day and night for us.
Different parts of the planet face the Sun or away
from it, which is why the Sun seems to come up
and go down each day.
Where is the Sun?
Have a look at the next slides and
decide where the sun might be
coming from.
Where is the Sun?
Where is the Sun?
Where is the Sun?
Now It’s Your Turn
You Will Need:

• a table or desk that can be taken outside;

• a large piece of paper;
• sticky tape;
• markers - lots of different colours;
• a toy or object that is the size of your hand or
little bit bigger.
Now It’s Your Turn
1. Find an area outside where your table or desk can be placed. It will need to be
a sunny spot.
2. Tape the piece of paper down onto the table or desk.
3. Look to see where the Sun is and place your object in the middle of the paper.
4. Trace around the outside of the shadow that is made. Leave your object in the
exact same spot.
5. Come back in an hour and see where the shadow is now.
Trace around the new shadow placement. Make sure
your object stays in the exact same spot!
6. Come back each hour and continue to trace around
the new shadow placement.
Discussion
What happened to your shadow?

Did they look the same each time?

Why do you think they changed?

This explains why we need to move our

umbrellas around at the beach or park
throughout the day.
It also explains why you might sit on one side
of a tree in the shade at morning tea time then
need to sit in a different spot at lunch time.